Being ambitious when setting goals is important but being realistic is just as important. When setting goals for a specific event it’s a good idea to have an ultimate goal and a more realistic goal you’d be satisfied with. If the goals require more time and commitment then you are willing to give then they need to be adjusted accordingly. I wrote about doing workouts that resemble the type of performance needed – if you can’t do it in training you can’t do it on race day. If the training volume and dedication required to reach an ultimate goal are also beyond what you can set up your life and mindset to achieve then the goal also needs to be adjusted – there is no point having a goal that you aren’t willing to shoot for when push comes to shove.
One of my Team TBB team mates.. anyone know her?
I had a coach – Brett Sutton – who was as hard a man as you’ll ever meet. The training we had to do to be in his squad was almost incomprehensible. When athletes struggled with training or to perform well at races after training so hard he’d simply tell them he didn’t think they had what it takes to make it as a pro. This usually fired them up and they put their head down made themselves get the work done and succeed. Other times it made them reevaluate and perhaps accept that he’s right and adjust their life goals to a working career and/or racing amateur. Many of these athletes were thankful to him (a few years later usually ;)) for giving them the reality check (albeit probably too frankly) and helping move on to next stage of life.
A few more Brett Sutton accolytes.. I think one of them won the olympics…
A coach needs to be encouraging and inspiring but at the same time needs to challenge their athletes when it comes to goals and the type of work they are going to need to achieve them. Especially when it doesn’t seem they are self motivated enough to do so. The athlete may react poorly and the relationship to the coach can become shaky but honesty is always best and in the long run the athlete will appreciate the tough love.
